End in Sight, I Think

It's amazing how quickly things can change in a week! Well, maybe not a lot has changed... Aaron's still in Memphis without me, I'm still at Blair Oaks teaching... but the outlook for my prospective replacements has significantly improved over just the last 3 work days. I found two interested people - and Blair Oaks found two people. One of mine hasn't gotten back to us in awhile, his loss *shrug*. Two interviews on Friday, one today. This last one seems to be the perfect match, according to Mr. Matlick. And she apparently materialized out of thin air to boot. Matlick even went so far as to admit that he's been "gushing" about her all day long since he's so excited to not just have found a band-aid, but a quality teacher he hopes will stick around. Which, that's a pretty darn amazing find, seeing as most quality teachers are, well, teaching this time of year.

So I should be able to quietly slip out of my contract at the end of the quarter - Oct. 14 would be my last day. This new girl, Heidi K-something or other sounds like she wants to meet up with me before the end of the semester and make the transition of Power a smooth one. (Doesn't Power with a capital P seem so much more athoritative?) :)

Aaron's loving his new job - what he's doing, the people he's working with, everything. Needless to say (but I'm going to anyway), I'm thrilled - and relieved. Wouldn't that just suck if I had quit my job and been replaced just in time for Aaron to decide that the new job just isn't a good fit? He's even got a friend... the boss's daughter. Ok, so maybe not the ideal situation, but he's been pretty lonely down there all by himself. Is it wrong for me to hope she's butt ugly? Aaron and I have a fantastic relationship based on all that shtuff that couples are supposed to have in theory but rarely actually do... you know, shtuff like trust, honesty, communication. And I do trust Aaron... but this society is built off of insecurity and suspicion... and heaven knows I am insecure. It didn't help that Monica doesn't hold Aaron in high regards. It seems she's more than ready to look negatively upon him. Granted, he dug his own hole this time... but I know how this looks and I'd rather she not have this to add to her list of reasons to frown upon his every move.

I know Aaron comes off badly sometimes... but why do people have to be so judgemental?

I am happy to have this basement and situation in general, though. Beyond measure. What I would have done without Monica and Cory offering up their home is beyond me. Not only do I have friends at a stone's throw whenever I'm lonely, but I have the entire basement to myself - AND Monica's homecooked meals every night. I feel bad saying anything that might sound ungrateful... it just hurts me to know that as hard as Aaron tried to please them, he still wasn't good enough. At first I was ashamed... how terrible is that? I talked to Aaron and made it out like everything was all his fault, that he needed to be more aware of social cues. Which, this is true, he comes on strong a lot. But it's not just his fault.

Anyway... I could ramble on and on and on about this...

This weekend Mom and I went to Art in the Park which was fantastic - beautiful art all over the park, Das Stein Haus German food, and a kick-butt live jazz band! Aaron's coming into Jeff next weekend (!!!!) for Dad's hayride. I can't wait to see him...to HUG!! him even! I've invited two co-workers from school, both middle-aged women whom I adore. Hopefully they'll have a blast.

Homecoming is this week... interesting, to say the least. At least we have shortened days Thurs. and Friday. Can't complain there. Only a month left before the quarter's over!

Did I say that?

Did I say Oklahoma City? What I really meant was Memphis. Yeah, that's it... they're easily confused. Approximately an hour before Aaron called OKC to ACCEPT the job, he (for some unknown and crazy reason) decided to submit his application for a nearly identical job in Memphis, TN. A few short days later, after confirming everything with Integris, Aaron gets a call from Memphis. Significant pay increase mentioned, Aaron was soon shuffled onto a plane to check things out for himself. After a weekend of wining, dining and apartment searching with his future bosses, Aaron decided to change the address on his acceptance letter from OKC to Memphis.

I'm thrilled about the change, even if it is abrupt and chaotic. We had very little time to act, however, and between teaching, moving Aaron's stuff into my sister's shed (temporarily until he can move to Memphis), clearing out of our old apartment, moving into Monica and Corey's basement, and knowing that I'll lose Aaron in less than a week...well, I'm exhausted.

I've also decided to finish out the 1st quarter at Blair Oaks and then join Aaron in Memphis. Mr. Matlick was none too pleased to hear this, as you can well imagine. I've promised to help find possible replacements, but that still isn't going to change the fact that the class will be in turmoil for a while when I leave. A friend with whom I graduated has sent in her resume, although she's certified for business, not English. I know she's be a great teacher though. Mr. Matlick mentioned today that she'd called... rather made it sound like he's leaning towards her being a permanent sub for some maternity leaves, rather than step in for me. Which at least gets her in the door.. but she's not likely to stick around the next year when the then-mom returns to reclaim her position.

I'm glad I've made the decision to follow Aaron in Oct. During the first weeks of school, I was so terrified and depressed that I knew I couldn't use Aaron's new job as an excuse to run away from my fears. But, since then I've gotten my Shi'ite together, and somehow, now that I'm confident and know what I'm doing, I realize that I can leave for the right reasons.

O-ren Ishii Ashenafi Poo Poo Kitty Buck is settling in nicely here in the basement, given the fact that there are, residing in the house, another cat and a large chocolate lab. Miss Princess arrived quite dignified, was checking out the place calmly and curiously... and then a flurry of wet noses, toothy hisses and low gutteral rrrrr's. Sadly, I must admit that, excepting the wet nose, the hissy fit was all O-ren's doing.

It feels so odd to be "home" in somebody else's home. I intrude wherever I step. I'm sure I'll lose weight here since I feel rude just browsing their kitchen for food or drink. Little things... laundry, trash... taking a shower when tee only shower to use is upstairs. Mon's glad I'm here... but I'll be ready to move to Memphis. I can never truly relax here.